i didnt get to see any of the fan appreciation stuff since the game was on NHL network...how bad was it?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Stands were pretty much empty, they ran through that line as fast as they could. I mean, they went through the whole team in like 2 minutes, the team didn't skate around and thank the crowd or anything from what I saw. Of course, they cut to commercial, so maybe they did? Usually Crosby hangs out for a bit, he signed the jersey for the kid and skated right off the ice...very un-Crosby like, that is for sure.

NBC must be freaking out.

They must be praying for a long NYR run.

Whats the Pens record since Sids stick swinging incident?

Should have been doing it for weeks. Especially with the team so shorthanded. Teams have been blowing through the neutral zone for months. I don't understand why they didn't immediately start trapping in Ottawa the other night with a 3 goal lead.
- madmike71

When the Pens were up 3-0, Ric Tocchet was interviewed during a TV timeout and said he didn't want his guys to play any differently from if the score was 0-0. Perhaps that is why they don't lock down the neutral zone.

Was it the refs? Lol. Always against Pittsburgh? Haha.

I'm not sure if the melt down started with the game against Detroit, but it sure aggravated it. I sincerely hope the sabers beat you and your first round pick ends up #1. Cheers. Edit: and the thuggish Bruins find a way to win a game.

Was it the refs? Lol. Always against Pittsburgh? Haha.

I'm not sure if the melt down started with the game against Detroit, but it sure aggravated it. I sincerely hope the sabers beat you and your first round pick ends up #1. Cheers. Edit: and the thuggish Bruins find a way to win a game.
- datswho

that's an awesome story bro. thanks.

wow, per DKs article....pens were denied by the league for sending Pouliot to the AHL to recall another defenseman even though there is no written rule about it.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

But they allowed Kane to be traded to Buffalo??? That's CRAZY talk!

People I can see another off season of social media madness having all sorts of trade talk similar to last year where Neal was traded. Didn't JR say he wasn't looking to trade Neal until all the 'talk' surfaced.

Get ready for the social cyclone of Malkin trade talks - & wait for JR to pull the trigger!

Heard it here first.

NBC must be freaking out.

They must be praying for a long NYR run.
- Beatle_john

prayers won't be necessary

prayers won't be necessary
- jimbro83

P-i-s-s o-f-f.

Bowman added pieces to the core and has kept them competitive and far more successful consistently than Shero or Rutherford have accomplished. We have a good possession team. Not a good production team. And it could definitely be more cost effective. Rutherford could have been upgrading that and ignored it. That's not "fancy stats." Rutherford ignoring data and believing he can better predict outcomes is flawed. And it will lead to poor outcomes as often as good outcomes. It won't move the organization in a positive direction.
- jfkst1

Your absolutely right. LA Kings dominate the possession and other fancy stats. The Pens need to be more like the Corsi Kings from LA. Not sure if the presentation of the Corsi Cup is televised this year.

One of the great revelations of the coming summer will be the exposure of fancy stats as pure flim flam.

It will take one more year of self talk, everyone saying it will get better, before the Pens faithful grasp that the core of this team just gets another year older and farther removed from peak performance.

Nobody has any illusions that this team is any longer capable of an extended Cup run. Next year will likely prove the same. If nothing changes, nothing changes. Trading Malkin this June (draft week) would produce a rich harvest of picks and prospects. The harvest will be reduced significantly if the Pens go another year on this downward cycle.

The smart thing to do is to move Malkin to a young team that is ready to go on a Cup run over the next few years (eg Islanders). But we all know it won't happen. Fans and management would rather watch the decaying carcass of a once great team rather than make the hard choices essential to moving forward. There is way too much loyalty to the memory of what it used to be like.

Was it the refs? Lol. Always against Pittsburgh? Haha.

I'm not sure if the melt down started with the game against Detroit, but it sure aggravated it. I sincerely hope the sabers beat you and your first round pick ends up #1. Cheers. Edit: and the thuggish Bruins find a way to win a game.
- datswho

The melt down started when Letang left the ice in the Arizona game.

It will take one more year of self talk, everyone saying it will get better, before the Pens faithful grasp that the core of this team just gets another year older and farther removed from peak performance.

Nobody has any illusions that this team is any longer capable of an extended Cup run. Next year will likely prove the same. If nothing changes, nothing changes. Trading Malkin this June (draft week) would produce a rich harvest of picks and prospects. The harvest will be reduced significantly if the Pens go another year on this downward cycle.

The smart thing to do is to move Malkin to a young team that is ready to go on a Cup run over the next few years (eg Islanders). But we all know it won't happen. Fans and management would rather watch the decaying carcass of a once great team rather than make the hard choices essential to moving forward. There is way too much loyalty to the memory of what it used to be like.
- spatso

Spasto my man (or woman), this is not the first time you've expressed this opinion.

I disagree.

We need guys with experience & youthful speed & exuberance. An old guy or 2 to get the leadership in place & let Sid worry about the play, youthful speed & enthusiasm. Look at the Flames this year - a spoonful of that poop is what we need. Now in saying that having 2 of the greatest scorers currently playing 'may' help the team along to score goals so we'll keep them - now before you say it, there are multiple issues currently dragging this team down Sid & Geno aren't it. Get stability, get leadership help, a shot of youth & sort out our D & we are winning Stanley!

Next year.

I don't understand the severity of this without a chart or 15 graphs.

Crosby and ogre will go down as the most
Underachieving duo and team in sports
History when all is said and done and done
With only 1 cup

It will take one more year of self talk, everyone saying it will get better, before the Pens faithful grasp that the core of this team just gets another year older and farther removed from peak performance.

Nobody has any illusions that this team is any longer capable of an extended Cup run. Next year will likely prove the same. If nothing changes, nothing changes. Trading Malkin this June (draft week) would produce a rich harvest of picks and prospects. The harvest will be reduced significantly if the Pens go another year on this downward cycle.

The smart thing to do is to move Malkin to a young team that is ready to go on a Cup run over the next few years (eg Islanders). But we all know it won't happen. Fans and management would rather watch the decaying carcass of a once great team rather than make the hard choices essential to moving forward. There is way too much loyalty to the memory of what it used to be like.
- spatso

So we can get a Kris Beech, or a Martin Gelinas, no thanks we already have a team full of them.

I do agree we need a new attitude at the top. We simply have too many guys who are past their prime and are still in prominent rolls. We need to get younger and to do that we need to let all the UFA's walk, trade as many of the others who are over 30 as you can and the ones you can't need to play less minutes.

One guy is injured and your all doom and gloom? I realize you arent winning games but last year we lost our last 6 games and 6, yes 6, of our top 9 forwards were injured before the playoffs. We did loose to Chicago but it was a HELL of a series. These players all have a switch that turns on in the playoffs. You guys will make it and will do fine.

P-i-s-s o-f-f.
- Aussiepenguin

I am just pointing out there will be no need for NBC to request Jesus to get involved for the Rangers to go on a long playoff run.

The Rangers will handle it.

One guy is injured and your all doom and gloom? I realize you arent winning games but last year we lost our last 6 games and 6, yes 6, of our top 9 forwards were injured before the playoffs. We did loose to Chicago but it was a HELL of a series. These players all have a switch that turns on in the playoffs. You guys will make it and will do fine.
- cuethenoise

Thanks for the vote of confidence, but how would you feel if Ian Cole was your best defenseman. He is the one guy who has stepped up his game in the wake of injuries we have had down the stretch. By the way how has Bortuzzo been playing?

I am just pointing out there will be no need for NBC to request Jesus to get involved for the Rangers to go on a long playoff run.

The Rangers will handle it.
- jimbro83

As Joe Black would say, "only 2 things are definite, death & taxes".

Now the death of the Rangers season is coming, just how long you wait only 1 person knows - that's not you!

Just think about the luck we've had with injuries bad traded etc........ We really couldn't ask for a better opponent to play in the final game to qualify for the playoffs. It could have been a lot worse.

Now I just hope that we don't drop our pants in public going commando!

Let's go Pens.

Oh well..rooting for an art ross...thats it folks. See ya next year. Hopefully sans MJ RT and Ruth. Mark my words..you will hear more about trading Malkin than ever before.

I dont want to see Perron, lappy, hoff, adams, downie, and maybe even kunitz on this team any longer. We need a serious overhaul..and honestly burn it to the ground this off season. Id be happy with a transistion year next year with all the right pieces in place. Throw the bank at babcock.
- taleisyreXIII

They're keeping 87/71/58/29 whether any of us like it or not. I'm also keeping 72, 3, 51.

Everyone else, I'd move for picks or young players if I could. Do a mini rebuild. Try and be ready in 2-3 yrs or so to compete seriously again during the last 3-4 productive years of 87/71. You could hopefully be in a position to win again when Sid will be 30-31, Geno 31-32.

1. Try and get a #1 back for Perron. If not, keep him I guess. Move him at the deadline next year.
2. Move Sutter, Kunitz, and Spal for picks in this draft. Prob fetch a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th for those 3.
3. See if you could package some of those picks to get back into round 1 this year.
4. Draft some f-ing forwards with big bodies.
5. Fill in w/FAs just like you have been but make no long term commitments beyond 2 yrs.

Next year (and no this probably isn't a playoff team):

Perron-Sid-Horny
FA-Malkin-Kap
Winnik-FA-Duper
Farnham-FA-FA
Oscar

Letang-Maatta
DP-Cole
Love-Dumo
Harr-Chourney/Scuds

MAF-Cheap backup

prayers won't be necessary
- jimbro83

You aint winning a Cup bro. Book it.

Pens have some serious issues to address. Corsi and advanced stats don't mean shiite if you don't win. One game to decide your fate.
- kaptaan

The enitre Pens D is injured right now. They may not be an elite team when healthy (as in top 8) but they are still a very good team when healthy.